St. Landry democrat., 1887-10-22

might write to Esther. This decision was
conveyed to Reuben by Aunt Hepsy, who
did not miss this opportunity to instruct her
brother that it was his duty not to interfere
in matter 50 deeply concerning Esther's
happiness.
The Sawyers' are rich an proud folks"
said she, land we mustn't do anythin' to
mortify EN-" Reuben Atwood had nothing
to say. All the rebellion was on Caleb Dick
inson's part, for Caleb was free to declare
not in Miss Hepsys hearing, but when he
was alone with Reuben upon the water-he
was free to declare, we say, that this mar
| ryin off of the gar' to a 'stuck-up city
chap was nothing short Of robbery upon
old Reuben Atwood But this violent Opin-
ion never came to Aunt Hepsys ears nor to
Esthers.
About a week after Esthers return to
school, Aunt Hepsy was surprised to find
upon the kitchen table one morning an en-
velope addressed to herself, Inside wa, ) Reu-
| ben's bank book. Reuben had startt~ fish
! ing much earlier than usual that moHAhng.
''1 don't know what it means, saiV Aunt
Hepsy to herself, "Reuben never did such
thing before.
Then she concluded that he merely wanted
her to keep the book safe for him, and hav-
ing 50 made up her mind she sewed the book
under the lining of an old bombazine skirt,
and hung the skirt in the closet Of the spare
chamber over the front room.
| 1t drizzled that day. Along about dusk
Aunt Hepsy heard q shutfiing on the back
steps.
Reuben ~ said Aunt Hepsy what air you
doin' out there in the wet? Wipe your feet
an come in
The door opened with a creak-with that
respectful creak which timorous mediocrity
always mparts to door.
1T amt Reuben, Miss Hepsival," said
voice even more respectful than the creaking
of the door, lit amt Reuben; it's me-"
"Waal, now, Caleb Dickerson, what do
you want?" asked Aunt Hepsy.
May come in ~ he asked.
"Youmay if You han't been drinkin'," she
answered. She remembered Caleb's habits
of seeking hymeneaI joys after having
wooed Bacchus.
Caleb slipped in sideways and sat down
in the new rocker.
"Lor's sake, Caleb, how kinder flushed
you look - cried Aunt Hepsy; what als
you?'
Reuben has gone away said Caleb.
Then having gulped down his heart, he
added 'an he told me to break the news to
you sorter gentle like
Gone awayr' she repeated. Reuben
gone away"'
Yes, Miss Hepsval, on the ship 'Gloster
elle'-to-day-goin' fur seven year, too.'
Had Aunt Hepsy not been a superior
woman she certainly would have tainted.
As it was, she arose and walked straight into
her buttery, took wild, prodigious draught
of catnip tea from the little vel ow pitcher
with the broken nose, and then returned to
her highback chair and sat down again.
Now, tell me- demanded Aunt Hepsy
what on airth put it into his head to go
away fur"
But Caleb could not tell All he knew
was that Reuben had come to his boat-house
and reused him early that morning. He
was uncommon cheerful-seemed to be-and
said he was going to sign as q seaman with
the whaler that sailed from Gosport that
noon. Caleb sought to dssuade him. But
Reuben was fixed in his purpose.
II have left $1,000 in the bank" said Reu-
ben Half is for Esther and half for sister
Hepsy. l left the book on the kitchen table
and the man at the bank knows about it.
So do you go and tell Hepsy I've gone and
tell it to her gentle-like and ask her to break
it to Esther"
You know" explained Caleb to Aunt
Hepsy, that Reuben always wuz kind
O. rovin feller, and
NO, he want nuther," said Aunt Hepsy;
che never had rovin' bone in his body! |
For a-tWenty year he haint been out O. sight |
o this house. Caleb Dickerson, you're
frivolin'-I don't believe Reuben has gone
away"
Calebs tongue might prevarcate, but his !
face would not. Aunt Hepsy read upon his |
face what she refused to credit in his speech. !
She got the bank and searched it |
through; upon page she found a separa-
ton of the accounts; $1,000 divided into
two equal parts-one part for Esther At
wood and the other part for Hepsival At
wood
SIS it as he said?'' asked Caleb.
at is all jist So" she answered.
Then followed silence Presently Aunt
Hepsy said: Go away, Caleb: want to be
alone"
Caleb knew. He gathered up his hat and
slipped out softly. He stole down to his
boat-house SO softly that you could hardly
have heard him creaking and crunchlng
over the sand and shells
But Aunt Hepsy sat and looked out upon
the sea through misty eyes.
An eighteen month later there came
letter from the mate of the Gloucester
Belle" it brought the news that Reuben
Atwood was dead.
To be concluded.
HEALTHY OCCUPATION.